The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday said the Nationwide Simultaneous School Safety Drill for Active Attack Incidents will remain age-appropriate and trauma-informed, following advice from medical experts.
“The rescheduled activity shall remain age-appropriate and trauma-informed, focusing on basic protective actions, communication, coordination, accountability, and recovery,” the agency said in a statement.
“Schools shall avoid hyper-realistic or graphic simulations that may cause unnecessary fear or distress,” it added.
Psychiatrists and other medical experts earlier expressed concerns about the scheduled drill and its impact on young learners.
In a statement, the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) said that some evidence linked to active attacks and lockdown drills overseas has caused anxiety, avoidance, or reduced sense of safety among students.
With mental health risks that come with such activity, the group said that the nationwide drill should meet a “higher standard of practice” without using deception, surprise, simulated gunfire, realistic weapons or injuries, or aggressive attacker role-play.
“The clearest measure of success is whether children learned what to do while their physical and psychological well-being remained protected,” the PPS said.
“Children should leave a drill knowing that adults have a plan—not believing that an attack is inevitable or that the burden of survival rests mainly on them,” it added.
The Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) and the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (PSCAP) echoed the same concerns, recommending tabletop exercises instead of live-shooter simulations.
“These are simple, discussion-based activities where teachers, staff, and parents sit together and talk through “what if” scenarios,” the groups said in a statement over the weekend.
“This approach builds coordination and preparedness without frightening children,” it added.
DepEd earlier postponed its nationwide drill, scheduled on Tuesday, due to prevailing inclement weather and the cancellation of face-to-face classes in several areas.
“The additional time will allow the Department to ensure that the activity is fully aligned with the recommendations… particularly in ensuring that preparedness measures safeguard both the physical and psychological well-being of learners,” the agency said.
The agency aims to schedule the drill in the first week of September, with the specific date to be announced.
SCHOOL SAFETY BUDGET PROPOSAL
In line with rising school violence, DepEd said it seeks to create a distinct line item for school safety and learners’ protection in the Fiscal Year 2027 national budget to address systemic safety gaps in the basic education system.
The proposed budget appeal will target allocations for physical security assets and support roles, including security guards, School Counselor Associates (SCAS), closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, perimeter fences, and walk-through and handheld metal detectors.
“The safety of our learners requires sustained and adequate investment,” Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said in Filipino in a news release.
“Under the proposed 2027 budget, we are focused on funding security, crisis preparedness, emergency response, personnel training, and overall learner support as interconnected priorities,” he added.
Physical security hardware and specialized personnel currently fall under Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), which also covers utility bills, instructional supplies, and administrative upkeep.
“Since MOOE allocations vary depending on the size of the school, their capacity to implement security measures is not the same,” Mr. Angara said. “Once this becomes a dedicated line item, we can address the needs of each school more quickly and in a more organized manner.”
The recent school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University last week, which resulted in two deaths and one wounded, has resurfaced policy discussions on gun ownership, school safety, and online games exposure.
A month before the incident, two minors also opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, killing three students and injuring 20 others. — Almira Louise S. Martinez
